Former officer in DWI scheme relinquishes certification
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Thursday, a former Albuquerque Police Officer at the center of the DWI corruption scheme was officially stripped of his certification. KRQE Investigates sat in on the meeting with the Law Enforcement Certification Board.
Former APD Officer Joshua Montaño was one of the first officers to admit his own guilt in federal court back in February to RICO conspiracy, bribery, and conspiracy to commit extortion.On Thursday, Monaño agreed to relinquish his right to hold the title of officer in New Mexico.Former officer in DWI scheme relinquishes certification
Will DWI corruption criminals have to pay victims?
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Take a look at the plea deals in New Mexico's DWI scandal
The LECB formally accepted a proposed settlement with Montaño. They voted unanimously to accept Montaño relinquishing his law enforcement certification, rather than revoking it.
The LECB went into a closed session for three hours during the meeting to discuss officer discipline matters, including Montaño's. Neither KRQE nor members of the public could hear that part of the meeting.
When the board members returned to the open meeting, it was a short vote with neither Montaño nor his attorney there for the formality.
Montaño started working for the City of Albuquerque as a Police Service Aide in 2005 before becoming a sworn officer in 2007. He worked in APD's DWI unit from 2015 through 2024.
The former officer was also highlighted in a case KRQE Investigates reported on last year, where Montaño was shown using a DWI suspect's bracelet to connect the driver with a defense attorney's office — who then offered a guaranteed case dismissal for a price.
Montaño is the first officer connected to the scheme to be officially stripped of his certification. So far, there are seven law enforcement officers who've taken plea deals in federal court for their roles in the DWI corruption scheme.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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